How we bid for hosting the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in Taipei in 2009?

Following its participation in Rome 19^th Summer Deaflympics in 2001, Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf initiated the intention to bid for the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in 2009 based on the following grounds:

1. In consideration of its status in international community, Taiwan under name of “Chinese Taipei” failed to obtain the hosting right for any major event, such as Universiad, Asian Games, or East Asian Games.Although the spirit of striving for hosting major events is well noted and admirable, the failure on bidding for the major events also cause to impact the morale of Taiwan people. Under such circumstances, Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf has strong desire to bid for the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in 2009 with a view to revitalizing the morale and confidence of Taiwan people.
2. As the Rome 19^th Summer Deaflympics in 2001 was not as impressive as expected on the one hand, and Chinese Taipei Deaf Sport Association has hosted a very successful Deaf Asia-Pacific Games in 2000 that impressed the Executive Members and Members in Asia-Pacific very much on the other hand, many members encouraged Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf to bid for the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in 2009.
3. All key members and staff of Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf had strong desire to show the competence of hosting major event by hosting the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in 2009, creating a new image of the deaf and encouraging the general public to respect and accept the deaf.

To this extent, Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf then made up its mind to bid for the hosting right.

According to the ICSD Constitution and Summer Deaflympics Regulations, any member having desire to host the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in 2009 must submit the application with endorsement letters from national sport authority (i.e. National Council on Physical Fitness and Sports), National Olympic Committee (i.e. Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee), and the host city government (i.e. Taipei City Government) for bidding the Summer Deaflympics.

One month after submission of application, Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf heard that Athens, Greece also competed for bidding the hosting right, the members and staff of the Association felt upset because Athens is the host city of 2004 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Although Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf may not be able to compete with Athens in world media and venues, the Association decided to do its best to bid for the hosting right by not only producing a variety of publicity materials and souvenirs, but also invited Mr. John Lovett, late ICSD President, to Taipei to visit all venues and facilities.

President John Lovett arrived in Taipei on 24^th November 2002. During Mr. Lovett’s one-week stay in Taipei, Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf gave multimedia presentation, and visited all recommended venues under guidance of staff of Taipei City Stadium Administration. Mr. Lovett applauded the well-organized programme and hospitality arranged by the deaf people.Other than the above, Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf also made arrangement for President John Lovett to call upon President Chen Shui-bian, Mr. Cheng-Hsien Yu, the then Minister of Interior, Mr. Tieh-Hsiung Wu, the then Vice Minister of Education, Mr. Der-Fu Lin, the then Chairman of National Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Executive Yuan, Mr. Hsiu-Hsiung Pai, Deputy Mayor of Taipei City.Dr. Thomas Ta-Chou Huang, President of Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee also hosted dinner party in honor of Mr. John Lovett.The full support and commitment of all senior figures in Taiwan to bid for the 21^st Summer Deaflympics impressed Mr. Lovett very much.

Before his departure, Mr. John Lovett expressed his desire to have Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf to do its utmost to bid the Games that encouraged the Association and helped the Association a great deal to successfully bid the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in 2009.

The senior figures and all staff of Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf committed themselves to prepare for the bid and formed the delegation to 38^th ICSD Congress in Sundsvall, Sweden.Moreover, all promotional materials, including a state-of-the-art debriefing brochure, multimedia presentations, souvenirs, posters and so forth were printed.In the meantime, the delegation booked a booth for promotion, and reserved hotel for hosting the promotional party by inviting all ICSD officials and delegates of all member countries with expectation to heighten the passion and enthusiasm of all participants.

The Chinese Taipei Delegation of 13 members was composed of 6 from Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf, 5 from Taipei City Government and 2 from Taipei Mission in Sweden.Meanwhile, the National Council on Physical Fitness and Sports funded the Delegation under the budget in 2003 appropriated to Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf, who also raised funds from other parties to compensate the insufficiency.

The Chinese Taipei Delegation arrived in Sundsvall, Sweden with more than 500 kgs promotional materials and souvenirs. Upon their arrival, the Delegation started promoting and visiting all members, and setting up the booth promotion featured with Taiwan culture at ICSD Congress venue that successfully attracted all participants.

At the night on 26^th February, the delegation from Athens, Greece invited two Chinese Taipei delegates to take part in their presentation. The Athens delegation hosted all guests with the Greek meals and beverages that cause the Chinese Taipei delegation under pressure, who, however, insisted on competing with Athens till last minute.

On 27^th February, which was the first day of the Congress, President Chih-Ho Chen and Secretary General Yu-Ping Chao, delegates of Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf to the Congress stayed in the venue all day long and call for vote to Taipei, while other delegates stayed along the booth and rendered hospitality to all guests.Jing-Lien Tang, one of the delegates, painted on the fan on site and distributed to the guests visiting the booth.In the evening, it was show time for Chinese Taipei Delegation to give presentation.Mr. Chih-Ho Chen, leader of Chinese Taipei Delegation, Ms.Chi Cheng, Honorary President of Chinese Taipei Sport Association for the Deaf, Mr. Hsiu-Hsiung Pai, Deputy Mayor of TaipeiCity, Honorable Ambassador Ching-Yuan Tseng of Taipei Mission in Sweden delivered speeches.Chaired by Secretary General Yu-Ping Chao, the presentation presented with multimedia was proved very successful and impressive to the ICSD officials and all members.Following the presentation, the Chinese Taipei Delegation hosted all participants for dinner and offered them a pack of souvenirs, including promotional brochure, tourist information, illustrated brochure on Taiwan sign language, mascot, Polo shirt, pin etc. that were found favors in the participants’ eyes.

The day of 28^th February was the day for final decision.Everyone felt upset. Nevertheless, the website of the Congress released the media coverage with the 4 interviews with delegates from 4 countries who strongly supported the bid by Chinese Taipei Delegation that was very encouraged. Before voting, both Athens Delegation and Chinese Taipei Delegation (chaired by Secretary General Chao) gave 20 minutes presentations respectively. The vote casting started when all members stopped raising questions.With 84 effective votes, Chinese Taipei Delegation won 52 favor votes, while Athens received 32. All our efforts over one year made our dream come true.

Everyone in the Delegation played well his/her part, optimizing the efforts for the bid that should be considered the main reason for the Delegation to win the award.Such powerful teamwork will play an important role in organizing the 21^st Summer Deaflympics in 2009.